Senate Bill 25-315 Engrossed

A Bill for an Act

• Page 1, Line 101Concerning measures to reinvent postsecondary and

• Page 1, Line 102workforce readiness programs, and, in connection

• Page 1, Line 103therewith, making and reducing an appropriation.

Bill Summary

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov/.)

Joint Budget Committee. The bill creates a postsecondary and workforce readiness funding model that includes 3 types of funding: Start-up funding, innovation grant funding, and sustain funding. The state board of education (state board) is authorized to adopt rules concerning these funding sources.

For the 2025-26 budget year through the 2027-28 budget year, the department of education (department) will determine each local education provider's start-up funding, which is used for eligible expenses that are associated with developing and implementing a postsecondary and workforce readiness program. Start-up funding gradually phases out and repeals after the 2027-28 budget year.

Beginning in the 2028-29 budget year, innovation grant funding is for eligible expenses that are associated with developing and implementing a postsecondary and workforce readiness program. Local education providers that are required to adopt a priority improvement plan or a turnaround plan, or authorize schools that are required to adopt a priority improvement plan or turnaround plan, for the current or prior budget year and demonstrate, or authorize a school that demonstrates, a low level of attainment on the postsecondary workforce readiness indicator for the prior school year are eligible for innovation grant funding.

Sustain funding is used to reimburse local education providers' expenses for students who, in the preceding budget year, successfully satisfied postsecondary credit, industry-recognized credential, or work-based learning requirements. For the 2026-27 budget year, of total sustain funding, a certain percentage is for reimbursing postsecondary credit attainment, reimbursing industry-recognized credentials, and reimbursing work-based learning. For the 2027-28 budget year, and budget years thereafter, the state board may adjust the percentages for these categories.

The bill repeals the accelerating students through concurrent enrollment program and career development success program after the 2025-26 budget year. Upon passage, the bill repeals the:

• Concurrent enrollment expansion and innovation grant program; and
• John W. Buckner automatic enrollment in advanced courses grant program.

The bill makes conforming amendments necessary to reflect these changes.

The bill requires the department to convene a working group that includes educators to report its findings and recommendations concerning the effectiveness of the teacher retention and preparation program and the pathways in technology early college high schools.

• Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

• Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add part 2 to article

• Page 2, Line 354 of title 22 as follows:

• PART 2

• Page 3, Line 1POSTSECONDARY AND WORKFORCE READINESS FUNDING

• Page 3, Line 222-54-201.  Legislative declaration. (1)  The general assembly finds that:

• Page 3, Line 3(a)  The department is committed to improving the

• Page 3, Line 4postsecondary and workforce readiness options and outcomes for students across the state;

• Page 3, Line 5(b)  Postsecondary and workforce readiness opportunities

• Page 3, Line 6increase student engagement, decrease dropout rates, and improve students' long-term workforce outcomes;

• Page 3, Line 7(c)  The Colorado evaluation and action lab, housed at

• Page 3, Line 8the university of Denver, found that concurrent enrollment is

• Page 3, Line 9shown to be highly effective in increasing college graduation

• Page 3, Line 10for Colorado students across various demographics. Students

• Page 3, Line 11who participate in concurrent enrollment are twenty-five

• Page 3, Line 12percent more likely to attend college, are eight percent more

• Page 3, Line 13likely to earn a two-year degree on time, are ten percent more

• Page 3, Line 14likely to earn a four-year degree on time, and earn higher wages

• Page 3, Line 15five years after entering the workforce.Therefore, maintaining

• Page 3, Line 16guaranteed transfer pathways and cooperative agreements

• Page 3, Line 17between local education providers and colleges is beneficial to students in Colorado and to the state as a whole.

• Page 3, Line 18(d)  It is the department's goal that for the high school

• Page 3, Line 19graduating class of 2029, and for each high school graduating

• Page 3, Line 20class thereafter, one hundred percent of high school graduates will have achieved at least one of the following:

• Page 3, Line 21(I)  Earned a quality, in-demand non-degree credential;

• Page 4, Line 1(II)  Earned twelve postsecondary credits that count toward a postsecondary credential; or

• Page 4, Line 2(III)  Participated in at least one high-quality work-based learning opportunity;

• Page 4, Line 3(e)  In order to achieve the goal described in subsection

• Page 4, Line 4(1)(d) of this section, the secondary, postsecondary, and

• Page 4, Line 5work-based learning integration task force recommended

• Page 4, Line 6streamlining postsecondary and workforce readiness

• Page 4, Line 7programming and funding to increase access to postsecondary

• Page 4, Line 8credit, industry-recognized credentials, and work-based

• Page 4, Line 9learning, commonly referred to as the "big three", by mitigating

• Page 4, Line 10barriers and offering programming that supports achievement in the big three;

• Page 4, Line 11(f)  The postsecondary and workforce readiness financial

• Page 4, Line 12study found that student access to existing postsecondary and

• Page 4, Line 13workforce readiness programs is inequitable, with only

• Page 4, Line 14fifty-four percent of the state's one hundred seventy-eight

• Page 4, Line 15school districts participating in the funded programs included in the study;

• Page 4, Line 16(g)  Student individual career and academic plans provide

• Page 4, Line 17a process and portfolio for students to explore their interests

• Page 4, Line 18and various postsecondary career and educational opportunities across the big three; and

• Page 4, Line 19(h)  In addition to the student individual career and

• Page 4, Line 20academic plans described in subsection (1)(g) of this section,

• Page 4, Line 21educators play a crucial role in helping students meet students'

• Page 4, Line 22postsecondary workforce and readiness goals and achieving success in the big three.

• Page 5, Line 1(2)  Therefore, the general assembly declares that:

• Page 5, Line 2(a)  It is beneficial to consolidate current postsecondary

• Page 5, Line 3and workforce readiness programs that the department

• Page 5, Line 4administers into three funding streams for the purpose of

• Page 5, Line 5building capacity to implement and expand access to valuable postsecondary and workforce readiness programs for students;

• Page 5, Line 6(b)  It is beneficial for local education providers to

• Page 5, Line 7receive flexibility with respect to their funding to establish or

• Page 5, Line 8increase student participation in opportunities for

• Page 5, Line 9postsecondary credit attainment, industry-recognized

• Page 5, Line 10credentials, and work-based learning and to enable scaling effective and innovative practices in the big three; and

• Page 5, Line 11(c)  Funding recipients are encouraged to consider ways in

• Page 5, Line 12which to collaborate and leverage economies of scale across local education providers to expand access for students.

• Page 5, Line 1322-54-202.  Definitions.As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 5, Line 14(1)  "Department" means the department of education, created in section 24-1-115.

• Page 5, Line 15(2)  "Industry-recognized credential" means an industry

• Page 5, Line 16certification and a nondegree credential, as both are defined in

• Page 5, Line 17section 23-5-145.8, that satisfy the requirements developed

• Page 5, Line 18pursuant to section 23-5-145.6 (2) and identified in the most

• Page 5, Line 19recent annual Colorado talent pipeline report prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103 (3).

• Page 5, Line 20(3)  "John W. Buckner postsecondary and workforce

• Page 6, Line 1readiness innovation grant program" or "innovation grant

• Page 6, Line 2program" means the John W. Buckner postsecondary and

• Page 6, Line 3workforce readiness innovation grant program created in section 22-54-204.

• Page 6, Line 4(4)  "Local education provider" means a school district, a

• Page 6, Line 5charter school authorized by a school district pursuant to part

• Page 6, Line 61 of article 30.5 of this title 22, a charter school authorized by

• Page 6, Line 7the state charter school institute pursuant to part 5 of article

• Page 6, Line 830.5 of this title 22, or a board of cooperative services created

• Page 6, Line 9and operating pursuant to article 5 of this title 22 that operates one or more public schools.

• Page 6, Line 11(5)  "Postsecondary and workforce readiness start-up

• Page 6, Line 12funding" or "start-up funding" means funding pursuant to section 22-54-203.

• Page 6, Line 13(6)  "Postsecondary and workforce readiness sustain

• Page 6, Line 14funding" or "sustain funding" means funding pursuant to section 22-54-205.

• Page 6, Line 15(7)  "Postsecondary credit attainment" means a

• Page 6, Line 16transferrable college credit that may be attained while a

• Page 6, Line 17student is in high school, in alignment with the Colorado

• Page 6, Line 18commission on higher education admissions standards set forth

• Page 6, Line 19in section 23-1-113, which may include the successful completion

• Page 6, Line 20of a concurrent enrollment course as described in sections

• Page 6, Line 2122-35-103 and 22-35-104 (5)(b), a sufficient score as determined by

• Page 6, Line 22the state board of education on an end-of-course advanced

• Page 6, Line 23placement exam, or a sufficient score in an international baccalaureate course.

• Page 7, Line 1(8)  "Work-based learning" means demonstrating learning

• Page 7, Line 2through work or at work, consistent with the work-based

• Page 7, Line 3learning quality expectations established pursuant to section

• Page 7, Line 48-83-602 (5). "Work-based learning" includes the same meaning as set forth in section 8-83-601.

• Page 7, Line 522-54-203.  Start-up funding - rules - repeal. (1)  For the

• Page 7, Line 62025-26 budget year through the 2027-28 budget year, the

• Page 7, Line 7department shall use this section to determine each local

• Page 7, Line 8education provider's postsecondary and workforce readiness start-up funding.

• Page 7, Line 9(2) (a)  A local education provider's start-up funding is

• Page 7, Line 10determined by a formula developed or adopted by the state board.

• Page 7, Line 11(b)  The state board shall develop or adopt a formula to

• Page 7, Line 12determine a local education provider's start-up funding. The

• Page 7, Line 13purpose of the formula is to enhance equity in access to

• Page 7, Line 14postsecondary and workforce readiness programs by allocating

• Page 7, Line 15funds to local education providers whose characteristics are

• Page 7, Line 16considered by the formula's factors and demonstrate the need

• Page 7, Line 17for resources to achieve equity through developing and

• Page 7, Line 18implementing postsecondary and workforce readiness programs.

• Page 7, Line 19At a minimum, the formula must include factors that reflect the local education provider's:

• Page 7, Line 20(I)  Participation in postsecondary and workforce readiness opportunities;

• Page 7, Line 21(II)  Percentage of students who are enrolled in grades

• Page 8, Line 1nine through twelve and are eligible for free or reduced-price

• Page 8, Line 2lunch pursuant to the provisions of the federal "Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act", 42 U.S.C. sec. 1751 et seq.;

• Page 8, Line 3(III)  Chronic absenteeism rate of students who are enrolled in grades nine through twelve;

• Page 8, Line 4(IV)  High school graduation rate; and

• Page 8, Line 5(V)  Dropout rate, excluding students who are or were enrolled in an alternative school.

• Page 8, Line 6(c)  The state board shall establish a minimum number of

• Page 8, Line 7students and a maximum number of students to be used as a part

• Page 8, Line 8of the student count in determining start-up funding so that,

• Page 8, Line 9notwithstanding the local education provider's actual student

• Page 8, Line 10count used for purposes of determining start-up funding, a local

• Page 8, Line 11education provider's student count is not less than the minimum

• Page 8, Line 12number or more than the maximum number. The purpose of

• Page 8, Line 13establishing a minimum number of students and a maximum

• Page 8, Line 14number of students is to ensure that start-up funding is not disproportionately distributed.

• Page 8, Line 15(d)  The data used for each factor of the formula must be the most recent data validated by the department.

• Page 8, Line 16(e)  The formula may apply a different weight to each factor.

• Page 8, Line 17(f)  The department shall calculate and distribute the start-up funds determined pursuant to this section.

• Page 8, Line 18(3) (a)  A local education provider shall use start-up

• Page 8, Line 19funding for eligible expenses that are associated with

• Page 8, Line 20developing and implementing a postsecondary and workforce

• Page 9, Line 1readiness program that aligns with the state's workforce

• Page 9, Line 2demands or priorities and supports students in successfully

• Page 9, Line 3earning postsecondary credit or industry-recognized

• Page 9, Line 4credentials, or successfully completing work-based learning

• Page 9, Line 5requirements. Categories of eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Page 9, Line 6(I)  Program planning and design;

• (II)  Course materials, technology, and equipment;

• Page 9, Line 7(III)  Professional development, certification, authorization, or licensure;

• Page 9, Line 8(IV)  Contracting with an entity or hiring school staff to

• Page 9, Line 9support the development and implementation of a postsecondary and workforce readiness program;

• Page 9, Line 10(V)  Individual career and academic plan resources, as

• Page 9, Line 11described in section 22-2-136, and supports, including academic and career advising and exploration; and

• Page 9, Line 12(VI)  Costs associated with concurrent enrollment.

• Page 9, Line 13(b)  Local education providers are encouraged to

• Page 9, Line 14collaborate with each other to maximize economies of scale and

• Page 9, Line 15expand student access to a postsecondary and workforce readiness program.

• Page 9, Line 16(4)  The state board shall adopt rules governing:

• Page 9, Line 17(a)  Additional eligibility requirements for a local

• Page 9, Line 18education provider to receive start-up funding pursuant to this

• Page 9, Line 19section. Eligibility requirements may vary based on the type of local education provider.

• Page 9, Line 20(b)  The formula developed or adopted pursuant to subsection (2) of this section;

• Page 10, Line 1(c)  Categories of eligible expenses and eligible expenses within the categories;

• Page 10, Line 2(d)  Eligibility for, and distribution of, funding for eligible

• Page 10, Line 3expenses within the categories described in subsection (3) of this

• Page 10, Line 4section. Eligibility may require satisfaction of certain

• Page 10, Line 5conditions. Eligibility and distribution rates may be categorized

• Page 10, Line 6or limited based on local-education-provider-specific features or other features as specified by state board rule.

• Page 10, Line 7(e)  Requirements of local education providers that receive funding pursuant to this section; and

• Page 10, Line 8(f)  Any other rules deemed necessary by the state board for the purposes of this section.

• Page 10, Line 9(5)  The department may not use more than five percent of

• Page 10, Line 10the total amount of start-up funding in the 2026-27 budget year

• Page 10, Line 11through the 2027-28 budget year to offset the direct and indirect costs incurred in administering start-up funding.

• Page 10, Line 12(6)  This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2029.

• Page 10, Line 1322-54-204.  John W. Buckner postsecondary and workforce

• Page 10, Line 14readiness innovation grant program - creation - funding - rules.

• Page 10, Line 15(1)  Beginning in the 2028-29 budget year, the John W. Buckner

• Page 10, Line 16postsecondary and workforce readiness innovation grant

• Page 10, Line 17program is created in the department to provide grants to local education providers that:

• Page 10, Line 18(a)  Are required to adopt a priority improvement plan or

• Page 10, Line 19a turnaround plan, or authorize schools that are required to

• Page 10, Line 20adopt a priority improvement plan or a turnaround plan, for the current or prior school year; and

• Page 11, Line 1(b)  Demonstrate, or authorize a school that

• Page 11, Line 2demonstrates, a low level of attainment on the postsecondary and workforce readiness indicator for the prior school year.

• Page 11, Line 3(2) (a)  The local education provider shall use innovation

• Page 11, Line 4grant program funding for eligible expenses associated with

• Page 11, Line 5developing and implementing a postsecondary and workforce

• Page 11, Line 6readiness program that aligns with the state's workforce

• Page 11, Line 7demands or priorities and supports students in successfully

• Page 11, Line 8earning postsecondary credit or industry-recognized

• Page 11, Line 9credentials, or successfully completing work-based learning

• Page 11, Line 10requirements. Categories of eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Page 11, Line 11(I)  Program planning and design;

• (II)  Course materials, technology, and equipment;

• Page 11, Line 12(III)  Professional development, certification, authorization, or licensure;

• Page 11, Line 13(IV)  Contracting with an entity or hiring school staff to

• Page 11, Line 14support the development and implementation of a postsecondary and workforce readiness program;

• Page 11, Line 15(V)  Individual career and academic plan resources, as

• Page 11, Line 16described in section 22-2-136, and supports, including academic and career advising and exploration; and

• Page 11, Line 17(VI)  Costs associated with concurrent enrollment.

• Page 11, Line 18(b)  Local education providers are encouraged to

• Page 11, Line 19collaborate with each other to maximize economies of scale and

• Page 11, Line 20expand student access to a postsecondary and workforce readiness program.

• Page 12, Line 1(3) (a)  The department shall administer the innovation

• Page 12, Line 2grant program, including reviewing the applications received pursuant to this section.

• Page 12, Line 3(b)  The department shall make grant award determinations.

• Page 12, Line 4(c)  In making grant award determinations, the department shall consider:

• Page 12, Line 5(I)  Whether the local education provider is required to

• Page 12, Line 6adopt a priority improvement plan or a turnaround plan for the current or prior school year;

• Page 12, Line 7(II)  The concentration of schools of a school district, or

• Page 12, Line 8the concentration of institute charter schools of the state

• Page 12, Line 9charter school institute, that must implement a priority improvement plan or a turnaround plan;

• Page 12, Line 10(III)  Whether the local education provider has been

• Page 12, Line 11identified under the state accountability system as declining in performance; and

• Page 12, Line 12(IV)  The local education provider's level of attainment

• Page 12, Line 13on the postsecondary and workforce readiness indicator, as described in section 22-11-204, in the prior year.

• Page 12, Line 14(d)  In making grant award determinations, the

• Page 12, Line 15department may consider and prioritize grant awards to local

• Page 12, Line 16education providers that have a higher than average

• Page 12, Line 17percentage of students who are English language learners and

• Page 12, Line 18a higher than average percentage of students who are enrolled

• Page 12, Line 19in grades nine through twelve and are eligible for free or

• Page 13, Line 1reduced-price lunch pursuant to the provisions of the federal

• Page 13, Line 2"Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act", 42 U.S.C. sec. 1751 et seq.

• Page 13, Line 3(e)  Subject to available funding based on annual

• Page 13, Line 4appropriations, each grant awarded may continue for up to

• Page 13, Line 5three budget years. The department shall annually review each

• Page 13, Line 6grant recipient's use of the grant award and may rescind

• Page 13, Line 7remaining grant funds if the department finds that the grant

• Page 13, Line 8recipient is not making adequate progress toward achieving the goals of the intended use of the grant award.

• Page 13, Line 9(4)  The state board may adopt rules governing:

• (a)  Application requirements;

• Page 13, Line 10(b)  Additional eligibility and prioritization requirements

• Page 13, Line 11for a local education provider to receive funding pursuant to this section;

• Page 13, Line 12(c)  Eligible expenses within the categories described in subsection (2) of this section;

• Page 13, Line 13(d)  Requirements of local education providers that receive funding pursuant to this section; and

• Page 13, Line 14(e)  Any other rules deemed necessary by the state board for the purposes of this section.

• Page 13, Line 15(5) (a)  The department may use not more than five percent

• Page 13, Line 16of the total amount of innovation grant program funding to

• Page 13, Line 17offset the direct and indirect costs incurred in administering the innovation grant program.

• Page 13, Line 18(b)  Of the money annually appropriated for the

• Page 13, Line 19innovation grant program, the department may expend an

• Page 14, Line 1amount that is necessary to enter into one or more contracts

• Page 14, Line 2with a public or private entity to provide the uses described in

• Page 14, Line 3subsection (2)(a) of this section to multiple local education

• Page 14, Line 4providers that are eligible for an innovation grant. The entity

• Page 14, Line 5shall use research-based strategies and have a proven record of success working with schools under similar circumstances.

• Page 14, Line 622-54-205.  Sustain funding - rules - repeal. (1)  For the

• Page 14, Line 72026-27 budget year, and each budget year thereafter, the

• Page 14, Line 8department shall use this section to determine each local

• Page 14, Line 9education provider's postsecondary and workforce readiness

• Page 14, Line 10sustain funding. Each local education provider shall provide

• Page 14, Line 11data to the department to inform the department of each local education provider's sustain funding amount.

• Page 14, Line 12(2) (a)  A local education provider is eligible to receive

• Page 14, Line 13reimbursement for students who, in the preceding budget year,

• Page 14, Line 14successfully satisfied postsecondary credit, received an

• Page 14, Line 15industry-recognized credential, or satisfied work-based

• Page 14, Line 16learning requirements as specified by state board rule. A local

• Page 14, Line 17education provider is eligible to receive multiple

• Page 14, Line 18reimbursements for one student. A local education provider is

• Page 14, Line 19eligible for reimbursement for students who are enrolled in a p-tech school or participating in a TREP program.

• Page 14, Line 20(b) (I)  For the 2026-27 budget year, the department shall

• Page 14, Line 21divide the total amount of sustain funding for reimbursement into the following categories:

• Page 14, Line 22(A)  Twenty percent of the total amount of sustain

• Page 14, Line 23funding for reimbursement for postsecondary credit attainment;

• Page 15, Line 1(B)  Forty percent of the total amount of sustain funding for reimbursement for industry-recognized credentials earned;

• Page 15, Line 2(C)  Thirty-five percent of the total amount of sustain funding for reimbursement for work-based learning; and

• Page 15, Line 3(D)  Five percent of the total amount of sustain funding to

• Page 15, Line 4offset the direct and indirect costs incurred in administering the sustain funding.

• Page 15, Line 5(II)  Notwithstanding subsection (2)(b)(I) of this section, if

• Page 15, Line 6money that is allocated to a category is not expended because

• Page 15, Line 7of insufficient demand, the money may be reallocated to another category to satisfy that category's demand.

• Page 15, Line 8(III)  This subsection (2)(b) is repealed, effective July 1, 2028.

• Page 15, Line 9(c) (I)  For the 2027-28 budget year, and each budget year

• Page 15, Line 10thereafter, the state board shall determine the percentages of

• Page 15, Line 11the total amount of sustain funding for reimbursement assigned

• Page 15, Line 12to the postsecondary credit attainment, industry-recognized

• Page 15, Line 13credentials, and work-based learning categories, except that

• Page 15, Line 14the five percent of the total amount of sustain funding to offset

• Page 15, Line 15the direct and indirect costs incurred in administering the

• Page 15, Line 16sustain funding must not be changed. The percentages for each category are determined by state board rule.

• Page 15, Line 17(II)  In determining the percentages of the total amount of

• Page 15, Line 18sustain funding for reimbursement assigned to each category

• Page 15, Line 19pursuant to subsection (2)(c)(I) of this section, the state board

• Page 15, Line 20shall consider the availability of postsecondary and workforce

• Page 16, Line 1readiness opportunities offered by local education providers, student participation, and evidence of student outcomes.

• Page 16, Line 2(III)  Notwithstanding subsection (2)(c)(I) of this section,

• Page 16, Line 3if money that is allocated to a category is not expended because

• Page 16, Line 4of insufficient demand, the money may be reallocated to another category to satisfy that category's demand.

• Page 16, Line 5(d)  A local education provider may receive funding from

• Page 16, Line 6one or multiple categories described in subsection (2)(b)(I) of

• Page 16, Line 7this section in each budget year; except that in a budget year

• Page 16, Line 8when the general assembly does not appropriate a sufficient

• Page 16, Line 9amount to fully fund the distributions required pursuant to this

• Page 16, Line 10section, the department shall reduce the amount of each

• Page 16, Line 11eligible local education provider's distribution by a

• Page 16, Line 12proportionate percentage of the amount required to fully fund the distributions required pursuant to this section.

• Page 16, Line 13(3) (a)  A local education provider shall use sustain

• Page 16, Line 14funding for expenses that are associated with maintaining and

• Page 16, Line 15expanding its postsecondary and workforce readiness program

• Page 16, Line 16that aligns with the state's workforce demands or priorities. Categories of eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Page 16, Line 17(I)  Program planning and design;

• (II)  Course materials, technology, and equipment;

• Page 16, Line 18(III)  Professional development, certification, authorization, or licensure;

• Page 16, Line 19(IV)  Contracting with an entity or hiring school staff to

• Page 16, Line 20support the development and implementation of a postsecondary

• Page 16, Line 21and workforce readiness program;

• Page 17, Line 1(V)  Individual career and academic plan resources, as

• Page 17, Line 2described in section 22-2-136, and supports, including academic and career advising and exploration;

• Page 17, Line 3(VI)  Costs associated with concurrent enrollment; and

• Page 17, Line 4(VII)  Wages for employed apprentices participating in registered apprenticeships.

• Page 17, Line 5(b)  Local education providers are encouraged to

• Page 17, Line 6collaborate with each other to maximize economies of scale and

• Page 17, Line 7expand student access to a postsecondary and workforce readiness program.

• Page 17, Line 8(4)  The state board shall adopt rules governing:

• Page 17, Line 9(a)  Additional eligibility requirements for a local

• Page 17, Line 10education provider to receive funding pursuant to this section,

• Page 17, Line 11including criteria that constitute a student's successful

• Page 17, Line 12satisfaction of postsecondary credit, industry-recognized

• Page 17, Line 13credential, or work-based learning requirements. Eligibility

• Page 17, Line 14requirements may vary based on the type of local education provider.

• Page 17, Line 15(b)  Categories of eligible expenses, and eligible expenses within the categories;

• Page 17, Line 16(c)  Reimbursement eligibility and rates, including limits

• Page 17, Line 17on a local education provider's annual total reimbursement and

• Page 17, Line 18annual reimbursement from one or multiple categories, based on local-education-provider-specific features or other features;

• Page 17, Line 19(d)  Requirements of a local education provider that receives funding pursuant to this section; and

• Page 17, Line 20(e)  Any other rules deemed necessary by the state board for the purposes of this section.

• Page 18, Line 1(5) (a)  A school district that authorizes a charter school

• Page 18, Line 2shall forward to the district charter school an amount equal

• Page 18, Line 3to one hundred percent of the sustain funding amount that the

• Page 18, Line 4school district receives for a student who is enrolled in the

• Page 18, Line 5district charter school and who satisfies the criteria that

• Page 18, Line 6constitute the student's successful satisfaction of

• Page 18, Line 7postsecondary credit, industry-recognized credential, or work-based learning requirements.

• Page 18, Line 8(b)  The state charter school institute shall forward to

• Page 18, Line 9an institute charter school an amount equal to one hundred

• Page 18, Line 10percent of the sustain funding amount that the state charter

• Page 18, Line 11school institute receives for a student who is enrolled in the

• Page 18, Line 12institute charter school and who satisfies the criteria that

• Page 18, Line 13constitute the student's successful satisfaction of

• Page 18, Line 14postsecondary credit, industry-recognized credential, or work-based learning requirements.

• Page 18, Line 1522-54-206.  Qualified industry credentials. (1)  On or before

• Page 18, Line 16January 30, 2026, and on or before January 30 each year

• Page 18, Line 17thereafter, the department and the work force development

• Page 18, Line 18council, in collaboration with the department of higher

• Page 18, Line 19education, the department of labor and employment, the

• Page 18, Line 20Colorado community college system, and the Colorado office

• Page 18, Line 21of economic development shall jointly develop, and publish on

• Page 18, Line 22the department's and the work force development council's

• Page 18, Line 23websites, a list of the qualified industry credentials that meet

• Page 18, Line 24the quality standards required pursuant to section 23-5-145.8

• Page 19, Line 1(2)(c) for the next school year. At least annually, the

• Page 19, Line 2department and the work force development council, in

• Page 19, Line 3collaboration with the department of higher education, the

• Page 19, Line 4department of labor and employment, the Colorado community

• Page 19, Line 5college system, and the Colorado office of economic

• Page 19, Line 6development shall identify and review the qualified industry

• Page 19, Line 7credentials by identifying the jobs included in the Colorado

• Page 19, Line 8talent report, prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103, with the

• Page 19, Line 9greatest regional and state demand, including high-skill,

• Page 19, Line 10high-wage jobs in in-demand industries, and, after consultation

• Page 19, Line 11with relevant industries, identifying the qualified industry

• Page 19, Line 12credentials that have labor market value and are likely to

• Page 19, Line 13lead to the identified jobs. Any qualified industry credential

• Page 19, Line 14that the department and the work force development council

• Page 19, Line 15jointly determine do not demonstrate labor market value may

• Page 19, Line 16be removed from the department's and the work force development council's websites.

• Page 19, Line 17(2) (a)  Each local education provider shall regularly

• Page 19, Line 18communicate to all middle and high school students and the students' families:

• Page 19, Line 19(I)  The availability of concurrent enrollment programs; and

• Page 19, Line 20(II)  The availability of industry credential and

• Page 19, Line 21work-based learning programs and the benefits a student

• Page 19, Line 22receives as a result of successfully completing one of these programs or courses.

• Page 19, Line 23(b)  To the extent possible, all communications issued

• Page 20, Line 1pursuant to this subsection (2) must be provided in a language

• Page 20, Line 2that the students and the students' families understand. The

• Page 20, Line 3goal of the communications must be to increase participation in, and completion of, industry-recognized credentials.

• Page 20, Line 422-54-207.  Gifts, grants, and donations.The department may

• Page 20, Line 5seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from private or public sources for the purposes of this part 2.

• Page 20, Line 622-54-208.  Postsecondary and workforce readiness program

• Page 20, Line 7report. (1)  Beginning January 2028, and each January thereafter,

• Page 20, Line 8the department of education shall report, at a minimum, findings

• Page 20, Line 9regarding the effectiveness of having consolidated the

• Page 20, Line 10postsecondary and workforce readiness programs that the

• Page 20, Line 11department administered into the funding streams created in

• Page 20, Line 12this part 2 for the purpose of building capacity to implement and

• Page 20, Line 13expand access to valuable postsecondary and workforce

• Page 20, Line 14readiness programs for students to the education committees of

• Page 20, Line 15the senate and the house of representatives, or their successor

• Page 20, Line 16committees, as part of the "SMART Act" presentation required pursuant to part 2 of article 7 of title 2.

• Page 20, Line 17(2)  On or before November 1, 2029, the department of

• Page 20, Line 18education shall report, at a minimum, findings regarding the

• Page 20, Line 19effectiveness of having consolidated the postsecondary and

• Page 20, Line 20workforce readiness programs that the department

• Page 20, Line 21administered into the funding streams created in this part 2 for

• Page 20, Line 22the purpose of building capacity to implement and expand access

• Page 20, Line 23to valuable postsecondary and workforce readiness programs

• Page 20, Line 24for students. Prior to creating the report, the department of

• Page 21, Line 1education shall consult with joint budget committee staff to determine the report's content.

• Page 21, Line 2(3)  Notwithstanding the requirement in section 24-1-136

• Page 21, Line 3(11)(a)(I), the requirement to submit the report described in subsection (1) of this section continues indefinitely.

• Page 21, Line 4SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-108, amend (2)(c); and add (8) and (9) as follows:

• Page 21, Line 522-35-108.  Accelerating students through concurrent

• Page 21, Line 6enrollment program - objectives - non-tuition expenses - rules -

• Page 21, Line 7repeal. (2) (c)  For the 2025-26 state fiscal year, and each state fiscal year

• Page 21, Line 8thereafter, the local education provider shall not designate a total number

• Page 21, Line 9of ASCENT program participants that is greater than the total number of

• Page 21, Line 10ASCENT program participants that it designated in the 2024-25 state fiscal year.

• Page 21, Line 11(8)  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the local

• Page 21, Line 12education provider shall not designate a qualified student as an

• Page 21, Line 13ASCENT program participant for the 2026-27 state fiscal year or any state fiscal year thereafter.

• Page 21, Line 14(9)  This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2029.

• Page 21, Line 15SECTION 3.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-108.5, repeal (2)(b)(II) as follows:

• Page 21, Line 1622-35-108.5.  Teacher recruitment education and preparation

• Page 21, Line 17(TREP) program - objectives - selection criteria - rules - definition -

• Page 21, Line 18repeal. (2) (b) (II)  The general assembly shall annually fund each

• Page 21, Line 19potential TREP program participant at the same per-pupil rate as

• Page 21, Line 20determined by the ASCENT program as described in section 22-35-108.

• Page 21, Line 21For the 2022-23 budget year, the general assembly shall appropriate funding for no more than two hundred TREP program participants.

• Page 22, Line 1SECTION 4.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-30.5-112.2, amend (2)(b); and repeal (1)(b) as follows:

• Page 22, Line 222-30.5-112.2.  Charter schools - at-risk supplemental aid -

• Page 22, Line 3definitions - legislative declaration. (1)  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 22, Line 4(b)  "ASCENT program" means the accelerating students through concurrent enrollment program created in section 22-35-108.

• Page 22, Line 5(2) (b) (I)  Each qualifying school district must receive at-risk

• Page 22, Line 6supplemental aid if the percentage of at-risk pupils in a district charter

• Page 22, Line 7school authorized by the qualifying school district prior to July 1, 2004,

• Page 22, Line 8is less than the percentage of at-risk pupils in the qualifying school

• Page 22, Line 9district. The amount of the school district's at-risk supplemental aid is

• Page 22, Line 10equal to the difference between one hundred percent of district per pupil

• Page 22, Line 11revenues and one hundred percent of adjusted district per pupil revenues

• Page 22, Line 12for each pupil enrolled in the district charter school, not including online pupils or pupils enrolled in the ASCENT or TREP program.

• Page 22, Line 13(II)  Each district charter school in a qualifying school district that

• Page 22, Line 14was initially authorized prior to July 1, 2004, must receive at-risk

• Page 22, Line 15supplemental aid if the percentage of at-risk students in the district charter

• Page 22, Line 16school exceeds the percentage of at-risk pupils in the qualifying school

• Page 22, Line 17district. The amount of the district charter school's at-risk supplemental

• Page 22, Line 18aid is equal to the difference between one hundred percent of adjusted

• Page 22, Line 19district per pupil revenues and one hundred percent of district per pupil

• Page 22, Line 20revenues for each pupil enrolled in the district charter school, not

• Page 22, Line 21including online pupils or pupils enrolled in the ASCENT or TREP

• Page 22, Line 22program. A school district shall pass through one hundred percent of a

• Page 23, Line 1district charter school's at-risk supplemental aid to the district charter school.

• Page 23, Line 2(III)  Each district charter school in a school district that is not a

• Page 23, Line 3qualifying district and whose percentage of at-risk pupils exceeds the

• Page 23, Line 4percentage of at-risk pupils in the chartering school district must receive

• Page 23, Line 5at-risk supplemental aid. The amount of the district charter school's

• Page 23, Line 6at-risk supplemental aid is equal to the difference between one hundred

• Page 23, Line 7percent of adjusted district per pupil revenues and one hundred percent

• Page 23, Line 8of district per pupil revenues for each pupil enrolled in the district charter

• Page 23, Line 9school, not including online pupils or pupils enrolled in the ASCENT or

• Page 23, Line 10TREP program. A school district shall pass through one hundred percent

• Page 23, Line 11of a district charter school's at-risk supplemental aid to the district charter school.

• Page 23, Line 12SECTION 5.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-30.5-513, amend (4.5)(b) as follows:

• Page 23, Line 1322-30.5-513.  Institute charter schools - funding - at-risk

• Page 23, Line 14supplemental aid - legislative declaration - definitions. (4.5) (b)  The

• Page 23, Line 15institute charter school's at-risk supplemental aid is equal to one-half of

• Page 23, Line 16the difference between one hundred percent of the accounting district's

• Page 23, Line 17per pupil revenues and one hundred percent of the accounting district's

• Page 23, Line 18adjusted per pupil revenues for each pupil enrolled in the district charter

• Page 23, Line 19school, not including online pupils or pupils enrolled in the ASCENT or TREP program.

• Page 23, Line 20SECTION 6.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-102, repeal (3) as follows:

• Page 23, Line 2122-35-102.  Legislative declaration. (3)  The general assembly

• Page 23, Line 22further finds and declares its intention that the administrative costs

• Page 24, Line 1incurred by the department of education in its implementation of the

• Page 24, Line 2accelerating students through concurrent enrollment program created in

• Page 24, Line 3section 22-35-108 shall be supported by federal funds available for

• Page 24, Line 4government services pursuant to section 14002 of Title XIV of the federal

• Page 24, Line 5"American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009", Public Law 111-5 of the one hundred eleventh United States Congress.

• Page 24, Line 6SECTION 7.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-103, repeal (1.5) as follows:

• Page 24, Line 722-35-103.  Definitions. As used in this article 35, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 24, Line 8(1.5)  "ASCENT program" means the accelerating students through concurrent enrollment program created in section 22-35-108.

• Page 24, Line 9SECTION 8.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-104, amend (1)(a)(III), (1)(d) introductory portion, and (1)(e) as follows:

• Page 24, Line 1022-35-104.  Enrollment in an institution of higher education -

• Page 24, Line 11cooperative agreement. (1) (a) (III)  Except as described in subsections

• Page 24, Line 12(1)(c) and (1)(d) of this section and sections 22-35-108 and section

• Page 24, Line 1322-35-109, a local education provider shall not limit the number of

• Page 24, Line 14postsecondary courses, including academic courses and career and

• Page 24, Line 15technical education courses, which that may include course work

• Page 24, Line 16coursework related to apprenticeship programs or internship programs,

• Page 24, Line 17in which a qualified student may concurrently enroll during the ninth,

• Page 24, Line 18tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade, except to the degree that the local

• Page 24, Line 19education provider is unable to provide access to the postsecondary courses due to technological capacity.

• Page 24, Line 20(d)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1)(a) of this

• Page 24, Line 21section, if a qualified student is not a participant in the ASCENT or TREP

• Page 25, Line 1program and has not satisfied the minimum requirements for graduation

• Page 25, Line 2established by his or her the qualified student's local education

• Page 25, Line 3provider by the end of his or her their twelfth-grade year and is therefore

• Page 25, Line 4retained by the local education provider for additional instruction, the

• Page 25, Line 5qualified student shall must not concurrently enroll in postsecondary

• Page 25, Line 6courses, including academic or career and technical education courses,

• Page 25, Line 7which that may include course work coursework related to

• Page 25, Line 8apprenticeship programs or internship programs, that are worth more than

• Page 25, Line 9a total of nine credit hours, including gateway courses, as defined in

• Page 25, Line 10section 23-1-113 (11)(b.5), with additional supports through supplemental

• Page 25, Line 11academic instruction, as defined in section 23-1-113 (11)(e). Furthermore, the qualified student shall must not concurrently enroll in more than:

• Page 25, Line 12(e)  Except as described in paragraphs (c) and (d) of this

• Page 25, Line 13subsection (1) subsections (1)(c) and (1)(d) of this section and

• Page 25, Line 14sections 22-35-108 and section 22-35-109, the state board by rule shall

• Page 25, Line 15not limit the number of postsecondary courses, including academic

• Page 25, Line 16courses and career and technical education courses, which that may

• Page 25, Line 17include course work coursework related to apprenticeship programs or

• Page 25, Line 18internship programs, in which a qualified student may concurrently enroll during the ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade.

• Page 25, Line 19SECTION 9.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-107, amend

• Page 25, Line 20(6)(a), (6)(e), and (7) introductory portion; and repeal (6)(d) and (7)(a) as follows:

• Page 25, Line 2122-35-107.  Concurrent enrollment advisory board - created -

• Page 25, Line 22membership - duties - reports - repeal. (6)  The board has the following duties:

• Page 25, Line 23(a)  Establishing guidelines for the administration of the ASCENT

• Page 26, Line 1program pursuant to section 22-35-108 (4) and the TREP program pursuant to section 22-35-108.5 (4);

• Page 26, Line 2(d)  On or before December 1, 2022, considering and making

• Page 26, Line 3recommendations to the state board and the education committees of the

• Page 26, Line 4house of representatives and senate, or any successor committees,

• Page 26, Line 5regarding the feasibility of a waiver process whereby a local education

• Page 26, Line 6provider, on behalf of a qualified student, could apply to the department

• Page 26, Line 7for a waiver of certain provisions of section 22-35-108, which waiver

• Page 26, Line 8would allow the local education provider to designate the student as an

• Page 26, Line 9ASCENT program participant in the second year following the year in

• Page 26, Line 10which the qualified student was enrolled in the twelfth grade of the local education provider so long as the qualifying student:

• Page 26, Line 11(I)  Was so designated in the year directly following the year in

• Page 26, Line 12which the qualified student was enrolled in the twelfth grade of the local education provider;

• Page 26, Line 13(II)  Requires fifteen or fewer credit hours of postsecondary course work to achieve a postsecondary credential; and

• Page 26, Line 14(III)  Is eligible for free or reduced-price lunch pursuant to the

• Page 26, Line 15federal "Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act", 42 U.S.C. sec. 1751 et seq.;

• Page 26, Line 16(e)  Submitting to the state board for its approval or disapproval

• Page 26, Line 17recommendations made pursuant to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subsection (6) subsection (6)(c) of this section;

• Page 26, Line 18(7)  On or before December 1, 2010, and on or before December

• Page 26, Line 191 each year thereafter, the board shall prepare a report and submit it to the

• Page 26, Line 20state board and the commission. The report, at a minimum, shall must

• Page 26, Line 21include:

• Page 27, Line 1(a)  Any guidelines that the board has established pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of this section; and

• Page 27, Line 2SECTION 10.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-113, amend (1)(a) as follows:

• Page 27, Line 322-35-113.  Concurrent enrollment - website. (1)  By July 1,

• Page 27, Line 42020, the department of education and the department of higher

• Page 27, Line 5education, with advice from the state board, shall make available to the

• Page 27, Line 6public a concurrent enrollment website to provide information to students,

• Page 27, Line 7parents, and legal guardians concerning concurrent enrollment options

• Page 27, Line 8and requirements. The departments must ensure that the website is clear,

• Page 27, Line 9easy to navigate, and generally user-friendly. In addition, the website must, at a minimum:

• Page 27, Line 10(a)  Clearly explain, differentiate, compare, and contrast

• Page 27, Line 11concurrent enrollment; dual enrollment programs; early college; the

• Page 27, Line 12ASCENT program; the TREP program; p-tech high schools, as defined

• Page 27, Line 13in section 22-35.3-102; international baccalaureate programs; and advanced placement courses;

• Page 27, Line 14SECTION 11.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35-115, add (8) as follows:

• Page 27, Line 1522-35-115.  Postsecondary and workforce readiness programs

• Page 27, Line 16- financial study - funding - reports - legislative declaration -

• Page 27, Line 17definitions - repeal. (8)  This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2026.

• Page 27, Line 18SECTION 12.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-35-116 as follows:

• Page 27, Line 1922-35-116.  Teacher recruitment and preparation (TREP)

• Page 27, Line 20program and pathways in early technology early college high schools

• Page 28, Line 1(p-tech) working group - report - repeal. (1)  The department shall

• Page 28, Line 2convene a working group that includes educators to make

• Page 28, Line 3findings and recommendations concerning the effectiveness of

• Page 28, Line 4the teacher recruitment and preparation program, created in

• Page 28, Line 5section 22-35-108.5, and the pathways in technology early

• Page 28, Line 6college high schools, created in part 1 of article 35.3 of this title 22, and any related findings and recommendations.

• Page 28, Line 7(2)  On or before December 1, 2025, the working group

• Page 28, Line 8shall report its findings and recommendations to the joint budget committee.

• Page 28, Line 9(3)  This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2027.

• Page 28, Line 10SECTION 13.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-35.3-103, amend (4) as follows:

• Page 28, Line 1122-35.3-103.  Pathways in technology early college high schools

• Page 28, Line 12- design - requirements - approval. (4)  A p-tech school is subject to the

• Page 28, Line 13state assessment requirements specified in section 22-7-1006.3 and the

• Page 28, Line 14accountability requirements specified in article 11 of this title 22. In

• Page 28, Line 15addition, the commissioner and the executive director may establish

• Page 28, Line 16indicators for measuring the performance of each p-tech school, which

• Page 28, Line 17indicators may include the ability of students who graduate from a p-tech

• Page 28, Line 18school to obtain employment in the field or to pursue additional

• Page 28, Line 19postsecondary education in the field, as well as any relevant performance

• Page 28, Line 20indicators established for the concurrent enrollment ASCENT, and TREP programs.

• Page 28, Line 21SECTION 14.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-103, amend (5.2); and repeal (1.4) as follows:

• Page 28, Line 2222-54-103.  Definitions. As used in this article 54, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 29, Line 1(1.4)  "ASCENT program" means the accelerating students through concurrent enrollment program created in section 22-35-108.

• Page 29, Line 2(5.2)  "District extended high school pupil enrollment" means the

• Page 29, Line 3number of pupils, on the pupil enrollment count day within the applicable

• Page 29, Line 4budget year, who are concurrently enrolled in a postsecondary course,

• Page 29, Line 5including an academic course or a career and technical education course,

• Page 29, Line 6as a participant in the ASCENT program or the TREP program and the

• Page 29, Line 7number of pupils, on the pupil enrollment count day within the applicable

• Page 29, Line 8budget year, who are enrolled in grade thirteen or fourteen in a p-tech

• Page 29, Line 9school. A pupil enrolled in a p-tech school pursuant to article 35.3 of this

• Page 29, Line 10title 22 must be included in the district extended high school pupil

• Page 29, Line 11enrollment as a full-time student. An ASCENT program participant or A

• Page 29, Line 12TREP program participant who is enrolled in at least twelve credit hours

• Page 29, Line 13of postsecondary courses, including academic courses and career and

• Page 29, Line 14technical education courses, as of the pupil enrollment count day of the

• Page 29, Line 15applicable budget year must be included in the district extended high

• Page 29, Line 16school pupil enrollment as a full-time pupil. An ASCENT program

• Page 29, Line 17participant or A TREP program participant who is enrolled in less than

• Page 29, Line 18twelve credit hours of postsecondary courses, including academic courses

• Page 29, Line 19and career and technical education courses, as of the pupil enrollment

• Page 29, Line 20count day of the applicable budget year must be included in the district extended high school pupil enrollment as a part-time pupil.

• Page 29, Line 21SECTION 15.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-103.5, amend (8)(a); and add (8)(c) as follows:

• Page 29, Line 2222-54-103.5.  District total program - rules - legislative

• Page 29, Line 23declaration - repeal. (8)  District extended high school funding. (a)  A district's extended high school funding is:

• Page 30, Line 1(District extended high school pupil enrollment x $9,588 $10,480,

• Page 30, Line 2or an amount determined pursuant subsection (8)(b) of this section).

• Page 30, Line 3(c) (I)  Notwithstanding subsections (8)(a) and (8)(b) of this

• Page 30, Line 4section, for the 2025-26 budget year, the dollar amount that is

• Page 30, Line 5multiplied by the number of full-time equivalent students

• Page 30, Line 6included in the district's high school pupil enrollment who are

• Page 30, Line 7the district's ASCENT program participants is seven thousand one hundred four dollars ($7,104).

• Page 30, Line 8(II)  This subsection (8)(c) is repealed, effective July 1, 2028.

• Page 30, Line 9SECTION 16.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-104, amend (4.7)(a) and (4.7)(d); and add (4.7)(e) as follows:

• Page 30, Line 1022-54-104.  District total program - legislative declaration -

• Page 30, Line 11definitions - repeal. (4.7) (a)  For the 2024-25 2025-26 budget year and

• Page 30, Line 12budget years thereafter, a district's extended high school funding shall be determined in accordance with the following formula is:

• Page 30, Line 13(District extended high school pupil enrollment x $6,135 $10,480,

• Page 30, Line 14or an amount determined pursuant to subsection (4)(d) of this section).

• Page 30, Line 15(d)  For the 2024-25 2025-26 budget year, and each budget year

• Page 30, Line 16thereafter, the dollar amount set forth in subsection (4.7)(a) of this section

• Page 30, Line 17must be increased by the percentage by which the statewide base per pupil

• Page 30, Line 18funding for that budget year, as specified in subsection (5)(a) of this

• Page 30, Line 19section, is increased over the statewide base per pupil funding for the

• Page 30, Line 202007-08 budget year, as specified in subsection (5)(a)(XIV) of this

• Page 30, Line 21section. except that the dollar amount that is multiplied by the number of

• Page 31, Line 1full-time equivalent students included in the district's extended high

• Page 31, Line 2school pupil enrollment who are the district's ASCENT program

• Page 31, Line 3participants must not increase or exceed the dollar amount during the 2023-24 budget year. The amount must be rounded to the nearest dollar.

• Page 31, Line 4(e) (I)  Notwithstanding subsections (4.7)(a) and (4.7)(d) of

• Page 31, Line 5this section, for the 2025-26 budget year, the dollar amount

• Page 31, Line 6that is multiplied by the number of full-time equivalent

• Page 31, Line 7students included in the district's high school pupil enrollment

• Page 31, Line 8who are the district's ASCENT program participants is seven thousand one hundred four dollars ($7,104).

• Page 31, Line 9(II)  This subsection (4.7)(e) is repealed, effective July 1, 2028.

• Page 31, Line 10SECTION 17.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-138, amend

• Page 31, Line 11(2), (3)(a), (3.5)(a), (4)(b) introductory portion, (5)(a), (8) introductory portion, and (9) as follows:

• Page 31, Line 1222-54-138.  Career development success program - created -

• Page 31, Line 13funding - report - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal.

• Page 31, Line 14(2)  There is created the career development success program in the

• Page 31, Line 15department of education to provide financial incentives for participating

• Page 31, Line 16districts, a participating board of cooperative services, and participating

• Page 31, Line 17charter schools to encourage pupils enrolled in grades nine through

• Page 31, Line 18twelve to enroll in and successfully complete qualified industry-credential

• Page 31, Line 19programs; qualified workplace training programs; and qualified advanced

• Page 31, Line 20placement courses. For the 2017-18 budget year and each budget year

• Page 31, Line 21thereafter through the 2025-26 budget year, each participating

• Page 31, Line 22district, each participating board of cooperative services, and each

• Page 31, Line 23participating charter school, as provided in subsection (5) of this section,

• Page 32, Line 1may receive up to one thousand dollars for each pupil who, in the

• Page 32, Line 2preceding budget year, successfully completes a qualified

• Page 32, Line 3industry-credential program; qualified workplace training program; or qualified advanced placement course.

• Page 32, Line 4(3) (a)  On or before August 15, 2016, and on or before July 1 each

• Page 32, Line 5year thereafter through July 1, 2025, the work force development

• Page 32, Line 6council, in collaboration with the department of higher education, the

• Page 32, Line 7department of education, the department of labor and employment, the

• Page 32, Line 8Colorado community college system, and the Colorado office of

• Page 32, Line 9economic development, shall publish on the council's website a list of the

• Page 32, Line 10qualified industry-credential programs and qualified workplace training

• Page 32, Line 11programs that meet the quality standards required pursuant to section

• Page 32, Line 1223-5-145.8 (2)(c) for that school year. At least annually, the council and

• Page 32, Line 13its partners shall identify and review the qualified industry-credential

• Page 32, Line 14programs and qualified workplace training programs by identifying the

• Page 32, Line 15jobs included in the Colorado talent report, prepared pursuant to section

• Page 32, Line 1624-46.3-103, with the greatest regional and state demand, including

• Page 32, Line 17high-skill, high-wage jobs in in-demand industries, and, after consultation

• Page 32, Line 18with relevant industries, identifying the programs that have labor market

• Page 32, Line 19value and are likely to lead to the identified jobs. Any programs that the

• Page 32, Line 20council determines do not demonstrate labor market value may be removed from the council's website.

• Page 32, Line 21(3.5) (a)  Beginning in the For the 2022-23 school year and for

• Page 32, Line 22each school year thereafter through the 2025-26 school year, the

• Page 32, Line 23department of education, in coordination with the department of labor and

• Page 32, Line 24employment, the department of higher education, the Colorado

• Page 32, Line 25community college system, and employers from in-demand industries,

• Page 33, Line 1shall identify the top ten industry-recognized credentials, each of which

• Page 33, Line 2must at a minimum meet the requirements specified in subsection (3.5)(b)

• Page 33, Line 3of this section. For each of the identified credentials, the department of

• Page 33, Line 4education shall identify the state content standards that align with the

• Page 33, Line 5courses required to obtain the credential and post on the department's

• Page 33, Line 6website an explanation of the standards and course alignments for each credential.

• Page 33, Line 7(4) (b)  By June 30, 2017, and by June 30 each year thereafter

• Page 33, Line 8through June 30, 2025, each participating district, each nonparticipating

• Page 33, Line 9district on behalf of its participating charter schools, each participating

• Page 33, Line 10board of cooperative services, and the institute on behalf of each

• Page 33, Line 11participating institute charter school shall report to the department of

• Page 33, Line 12education the total number of pupils enrolled in the participating district,

• Page 33, Line 13the participating charter schools of the nonparticipating district, the

• Page 33, Line 14participating board of cooperative services, or the participating institute charter schools who, during the school year that ends on that June 30:

• Page 33, Line 15(5) (a)  Beginning in the 2023-24 budget year and each budget year

• Page 33, Line 16thereafter, the general assembly shall annually appropriate at least nine

• Page 33, Line 17million five hundred thousand dollars to the department of education for

• Page 33, Line 18the career development success program. For the 2025-26 budget year,

• Page 33, Line 19the general assembly shall appropriate five million dollars to

• Page 33, Line 20the department of education for the career development

• Page 33, Line 21success program.For the 2025-26 budget year, of the five million

• Page 33, Line 22dollars for the career development success program, the

• Page 33, Line 23department may expend an amount that is necessary to offset

• Page 33, Line 24the direct and indirect costs incurred in administering

• Page 33, Line 25postsecondary and workforce readiness start-up funding

• Page 34, Line 1pursuant to section 22-54-203. The department shall distribute the money as provided in this subsection (5).

• Page 34, Line 2(8)  At the hearing with the joint education committee of the

• Page 34, Line 3general assembly held in accordance with section 2-7-203 in November

• Page 34, Line 4or December 2017, and at the hearing held each year thereafter through

• Page 34, Line 52025, the department of education shall provide a report that describes the

• Page 34, Line 6outcomes achieved by the career development success program. At a minimum, the report must include the following information:

• Page 34, Line 7(9)  This section is repealed, effective September 1, 2034 July 1, 2029.

• Page 34, Line 8SECTION 18.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-1-135, amend (3)(b)(I) as follows:

• Page 34, Line 923-1-135.  Department directive - undergraduate degree and

• Page 34, Line 10certificate programs - annual return on investment report - definition

• Page 34, Line 11- repeal. (3) (b)  The return on investment report must include

• Page 34, Line 12information concerning the undergraduate degree and certificate programs offered at each institution including, at a minimum:

• Page 34, Line 13(I)  The number of students enrolled in the undergraduate degree

• Page 34, Line 14or certificate program and the number of degrees and certificates awarded

• Page 34, Line 15annually for the program; specifically identifying the number of high

• Page 34, Line 16school students enrolled and the number of degrees and certificates

• Page 34, Line 17awarded; through the career development success program created in section 22-54-138;

• Page 34, Line 18SECTION 19.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-5-145.6, amend (3)(b) as follows:

• Page 34, Line 1923-5-145.6.  Opportunities for credential attainment - fund -

• Page 34, Line 20report - definitions - repeal. (3)  By January 1, 2024, the department, in

• Page 35, Line 1consultation with the representatives described in section 23-5-145.5 (5),

• Page 35, Line 2shall facilitate the creation of stackable credential pathways for at least

• Page 35, Line 3three growing industries identified by the most recent Colorado talent

• Page 35, Line 4report. By January 1, 2025, the department, in consultation with the

• Page 35, Line 5representatives described in section 23-5-145.5 (5), shall facilitate the

• Page 35, Line 6creation of stackable credential pathways for at least two additional

• Page 35, Line 7growing industries identified by the most recent Colorado talent report.

• Page 35, Line 8The department shall facilitate the creation of at least two stackable

• Page 35, Line 9credential pathways for each industry. The stackable credential pathways must include:

• Page 35, Line 10(b)  An inventory of credentials that are a part of the pathway,

• Page 35, Line 11offered by accredited and nonaccredited providers, including training and

• Page 35, Line 12industry credential providers, high schools, programs recognized by the

• Page 35, Line 13career development success program pursuant to section 22-54-138, postsecondary institutions, and nonprofit organizations;

• Page 35, Line 14SECTION 20.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-5-145.8, amend (2)(c) as follows:

• Page 35, Line 1523-5-145.8.  Credential quality standards - report - definitions.

• Page 35, Line 16(2) (c)  Beginning January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the

• Page 35, Line 17department, in collaboration with the Colorado work force development

• Page 35, Line 18council, the department of education, the department of labor and

• Page 35, Line 19employment, and the Colorado office of economic development, shall

• Page 35, Line 20evaluate nondegree credentials offered through state-recognized programs

• Page 35, Line 21to ensure the credentials meet the quality standards set forth in the quality

• Page 35, Line 22nondegree credentials framework. State-recognized programs that are

• Page 35, Line 23required to ensure nondegree credential offerings meet the quality

• Page 35, Line 24standards set forth in the quality nondegree credentials framework include, but are not limited to,

• Page 36, Line 1(I)  The career development success program created pursuant to section 22-54-138; and

• Page 36, Line 2(II)   the stackable credential pathways identified pursuant to section 23-5-145.6 (3).

• Page 36, Line 4SECTION 21.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-46.3-602, amend (4) as follows:

• Page 36, Line 524-46.3-602.  Definitions. As used in this part 6 and part 7 of this article 46.3, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 36, Line 6(4)  "Industry-recognized credential" means a credential through

• Page 36, Line 7a program or offering qualified under the career development success

• Page 36, Line 8program pursuant to section 22-54-138 an "industry certification",

• Page 36, Line 9which has the same meaning set forth in section 23-5-145.8, and

• Page 36, Line 10a "nondegree credential", which has the same meaning set forth

• Page 36, Line 11in section 23-5-145.8, that satisfy the requirements developed

• Page 36, Line 12pursuant to section 23-5-145.6 (2) and are identified in the most

• Page 36, Line 13recent annual Colorado talent pipeline report prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103 (3).

• Page 36, Line 14SECTION 22.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 26.5-6-103, amend (5) as follows:

• Page 36, Line 1526.5-6-103.  Pathways to the classroom and retention strategies

• Page 36, Line 16for early childhood educators - standards - alignment across agencies

• Page 36, Line 17- report - rules. (5)  The department, the department of higher education,

• Page 36, Line 18and the department of education shall develop resources to support local

• Page 36, Line 19communities to increase concurrent enrollment opportunities for high

• Page 36, Line 20school students or other nontraditional students to earn higher education

• Page 37, Line 1credits and degrees that allow them to serve as early childhood educators

• Page 37, Line 2and shall support career pathways for high school students earning

• Page 37, Line 3college credits toward becoming early childhood educators, including

• Page 37, Line 4concurrent enrollment, career and technical education, the ASCENT program, and other career pathways.

• Page 37, Line 5SECTION 23.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-91-104, amend (1), (4), and (5)(a) as follows:

• Page 37, Line 622-91-104.  School counselor corps grant program - application

• Page 37, Line 7- criteria - grant awards - rules. (1)  An education provider seeking a

• Page 37, Line 8grant from the program shall must submit an application to the school

• Page 37, Line 9counselor corps advisory board existing within the department in

• Page 37, Line 10accordance with the rules adopted by the state board. The school

• Page 37, Line 11counselor corps advisory board shall review each grant application

• Page 37, Line 12received and make recommendations to the department and state board

• Page 37, Line 13concerning whether a grant should be awarded to the education provider

• Page 37, Line 14and the recommended amount of the grant. If the school counselor corps

• Page 37, Line 15advisory board determines an application is missing any information

• Page 37, Line 16required by rule to be included with the application, the school counselor

• Page 37, Line 17corps advisory board may contact the education provider to obtain the missing information.

• Page 37, Line 18(4)  The department and the state board shall consult with experts

• Page 37, Line 19in the area of school counseling, including, but not limited to, school

• Page 37, Line 20counselors, persons who provide education and professional development

• Page 37, Line 21in the areas of school counseling and career counseling, and higher

• Page 37, Line 22education admissions officers, in establishing any additional criteria for

• Page 37, Line 23awarding grants and in reviewing applications and selecting grant

• Page 37, Line 24recipients.

• Page 38, Line 1(5) (a)  Subject to available appropriations, the state board

• Page 38, Line 2department shall award grants to applying education providers pursuant

• Page 38, Line 3to this section. The state board shall base the grant awards on the

• Page 38, Line 4department's recommendations. Each grant has a term of four years

• Page 38, Line 5beginning in the 2014-15 budget year. In making a grant award, the state board department shall specify the amount of each grant.

• Page 38, Line 6SECTION 24.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, repeal 22-35-114 and part 2 of article 95.5 of title 22.

• Page 38, Line 7SECTION 25.  Appropriation - adjustments to 2025 long bill.

• Page 38, Line 8(1)  To implement this act, appropriations made in the annual general

• Page 38, Line 9appropriation act for the 2025-26 state fiscal year to the department of education are adjusted as follows:

• Page 38, Line 10(a)  The general fund appropriation for use by management and administration for grants administration is reduced by $3,999;

• Page 38, Line 11(b)  The appropriation from the state education fund created in

• Page 38, Line 12section 17 (4)(a) of article IX of the state constitution for use by school

• Page 38, Line 13district operations for state share of districts' total program funding is increased by $2,257,275;

• Page 38, Line 14(c)  The appropriation from the state education fund created in

• Page 38, Line 15section 17 (4)(a) of article IX of the state constitution for use by school district operations for extended high school is decreased by $6,703,048;

• Page 38, Line 16(d)  The general fund appropriation for use by student pathways for

• Page 38, Line 17the career development success program is decreased by $4,521,670, and the related FTE is decreased by 0.6 FTE;

• Page 38, Line 18(e)  The appropriation from the marijuana tax cash fund created in

• Page 38, Line 19Section 39-28.8-501 (1), C.R.S., for use by student pathways for the

• Page 38, Line 20concurrent enrollment expansion and innovation grant program is

• Page 39, Line 1decreased by $1,476,948, and the related FTE for college and career readiness is decreased by 0.3 FTE;

• Page 39, Line 2(f)  The general fund appropriation for use by student pathways for

• Page 39, Line 3the John W. Buckner automatic enrollment in advanced courses grant

• Page 39, Line 4program is decreased by $247,914, and the related FTE is decreased by 0.3 FTE.

• Page 39, Line 5(2)  For the 2025-26 state fiscal year, $5,018,715 is appropriated

• Page 39, Line 6to the department of education for use by student pathways. This

• Page 39, Line 7appropriation consists of $4,773,583 from the general fund and $245,132

• Page 39, Line 8from the state education fund created in section 17 (4)(a) of article IX of

• Page 39, Line 9the state constitution. To implement this act, the department may use this appropriation as follows:

• Page 39, Line 10(a)  $482,217 from the general fund for postsecondary workforce

• Page 39, Line 11readiness administration, which amount is based on an assumption that the department will require an additional 5.1 FTE; and

• Page 39, Line 12(b)  $4,291,366 from the general fund and $245,132 from the state

• Page 39, Line 13education fund created in section 17 (4)(a) of article IX of the state

• Page 39, Line 14constitution for postsecondary workforce readiness start-up funding distributions to local education providers.

• Page 39, Line 15SECTION 26.  Effective date. This act takes effect upon passage;

• Page 39, Line 16except that sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22 of this act take effect July 1, 2026.

• Page 39, Line 17SECTION 27.  Safety clause. The general assembly finds,

• Page 39, Line 18determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate

• Page 39, Line 19preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for

• Page 39, Line 20the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state

• Page 39, Line 21institutions.